THUGS grabbed a 74-year-old man by the arms and threatened to beat him up after pushing their way into his home and demanding cash.

The two thieves, who spoke with Irish accents, attacked their victim after calling at his home in the Shear Brow area of Blackburn just after 1.30pm yesterday.

They asked him if he wanted them to do any building work but he told them to go away.

He later spotted the men in his back yard and when he opened the door to challenge them they pushed their way into the house.

One of the men held him with his arms behind his back and the they threatened to beat him up unless he told them where his money was.

They eventually escaped with £11 in cash and a leather jacket worth £80.

Det Sgt Mick Melia of Blackburn CID said: "This was a very nasty offence and we need to trace the people responsible as soon as possible."

One of the thieves is around 5ft 9in tall, between 30 and 40 years old, with a broad build, brown hair and a pale complexion. He was wearing a cream jacket and blue jeans.

The second thief was 5ft 10ins tall and slightly slimmer.

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